Rudrapur, May 17 -- A female elephant has given birth to twin calves in the Garjiya zone of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, an event that wildlife experts described as rare among elephants. CTR director Dr Saket Badola said twin births in elephants are uncommon due to their long gestation period and the physical challenges associated with carrying two calves. "Giving birth to twin calves is a rare phenomenon in wildlife. A female elephant's gestation period ranges between 22 and 24 months. Since elephant calves are relatively large, carrying two fetuses for such a long duration is difficult. Generally, female elephants give birth to a single calf," Badola said. The twin calves were first spotted on Tuesday by naturalist Sanjay Chhimwal, who recorded a video of the mother elephant with the newborns and shared it with forest authorities. "I saw the calves feeding and informed forest officials after recording the video. It was a rare and unusual sight for me as well," Chhimwal said. The video has drawn significant attention on social media and increased tourist interest in the Garjiya zone, with visitors arriving to catch a glimpse of the elephant and her calves. Badola said elephants typically live between 70 and 80 years and herd members collectively care for young calves. On concerns regarding the safety of the newborns, he said, "We are not worried about their protection. Wildlife follows the principle of survival of the fittest. Intervention will be made only if the calves suffer injuries or face distress." Forest officials said the twin birth could indicate a healthy habitat and favourable biodiversity conditions for elephants in the Shivalik elephant reserve, of which CTR forms a part. Around 1,200 elephants are estimated to inhabit the Shivalik landscape. Badola added that a fresh elephant census in the region is scheduled to begin on May 26....